Reviewing Japan's overlooked rock veterans Ningen Isu - Eleventh part: Shurabayashi / The Fighting Band (2003)

Typical trademarks that rarely leave a lasting impression

Shurabayashi or The Fighting Band is Ningen-Isu's eleventh studio album and its last output with drummer Goto Masuhiro. Even though the album incorporates the band's traditional trademarks such as doom metal guitar riffs, heavy metal rhythm section and diversified dual vocal performances, the record is one of the weaker outputs in the band's vast discography. While the album doesn't include any stinkers, it's simply lacking its own identity as many tunes sound exchangeable and few songs manage to stand out.

Among the few highlights, epic closer ''Soukoku No Ie'' which translates to ''House of Rivalry'' needs to be pointed out right away. This song is a menacing doom metal stomper with gloomy backing chants and dramatic melodic lead vocals. The track varies from plodding and gloomy sections to fast and upbeat parts transported by vibrant bass guitar play and steady drum rhythms. The melodic and peaceful middle section offers an excellent break at the right moment and underlines the band's creative songwriting.

Other noteworthy songs are ''Ai No Kotoba Wo Kazouyou'' or ''Let's Count Words of Love'' with its distorted guitar sounds intertwined with agressively rhythmic drumming recalling punk rock music, slow, plodding and gloomy ''Tsuki Ni Samayou'' or '' Prowling for Moons'' that is dominated by raw vocals and vibrant bass guitar play and rhythmic ''Ou-Sama No Mimi Wa Robber No Mimi'' or ''The King's Ear is a Robber's Ear'' that flirts with blues rock territory in the playful guitar riff department.

At the end of the day, Shurabayashi or The Fighting Band will please Ningen-Isu fans and includes one obvious highlight with the excellent closer and a few hidden gems in the record's middle section. New or occasional fans should however start elsewhere such as with the dynamic, heavy and tight predecessor. This release is still a very good album meandering from folk rock, blues rock and hard rock to heavy and doom metal territories but it fails to stand out in Ningen-Isu's impressive high-quality discography.

Final rating: 78%